I'm thinking about going to the gym tonight. This will only be my second trip. What are the best types of machines to use? I enjoy the treadmill. The Arc Machine killed my knees, I lasted a mere 1 minute. Cycling is cool but kind of boring, even though I can sit there and watch tv. Maybe this time around I try the elliptical? We'll see if my knees can handle it.

Any suggestions?

I LOVE the treadmill, I can stay on the treadmill all day if I could, I have tried Yoga and got good results but it got to expensive for me.
Do you have a gym buddy? My sister and I would race each other to keep things intresting.
The rowing machine is also alot of fun.

compound lifts using heavy weight! makes cardio easier too!

Free weights. Brave "the cave" and enjoy. Have a trainer show you if you haven't used them before.

Free weights make your body balance and shift and this uses and strengthens more of your muscles than just the one you think you're focusing on. Weight machines, on the other hand, isolate just one set of muscles. Your whole body isn't involved, so it doesn't get stronger.

Lift heavy. It's amazing how you'll feel.

Only one exercise? Clean and jerk(or press)